This Is MLS | Winners & Losers of the Transfer Window, & MLS Cup Predictions

from one leagues Cup team that made us believe to another one it's Flip Flip flipadelphia it's got the podcasting down already so I'm saying Dax when you're coming in here man we got we got a seat for you chill you're not going to read my sign first I got the first answer I'm not reading that that is good afternoon to you Sasha too that is so inappropriate for the start of our segment Sasha you get an app this is Ms and it is that time of you're the race to the postseason and who better to break it all down for you then two-time MLS Cup finalist kayin Carr don't leave me hanging sorry you're doing that on purpose and two guys that lifted the 2015 supporter Shield together in Sasha cllean and Bradley Wright Phillips I have three supporter Shields you sure do you have sash wow how many do you have sash how many Belgian proleague titles do you have Brad N I wouldn't be caught dead over there all right well you know if there's no eye in team Bradley there's no ey in team right in the supporter Shield race we have not seen a race like this in quite some time ENT Miami with a five-point lead but a handful of elite teams in the hunt Brad one of those that you won it was 2018 arguably the best supporter Shield race in league history Bradley where does 24 2024 rather rank well 2018 was amazing but this uh 2024 is 100 times better I think with four teams in it um four teams that all have a possibility of winning it too it just makes it so much fun like each week my my opinion changes who might win it who's looking strong we've got a great game coming up with Cincy against Miami that one's gonna you know there's a lot of ramifications on what happens in this suppor of shieldo for me by far the best yeah I'll have to agree with that for me the supporter Shield is something that's only grown with importance over time and I always would be the one to say pretty quickly this doesn't really matter that much it's MLS Cup is the one that you want I know sorry Brad I know three of them you would trade one though wouldn't you for one MLS Cup maybe no I grew up just trying to win the league that's why I grew up man okay respect but I think it's changing a little bit as far as the importance goes and I think it's increasingly become tied to getting HomeField Advantage going through the playoffs and and to be able to host MLS Cup Final so that's why I think this is so much more important now and the fact that we have so many teams in the running still I do think think inter Miami is clearly in the driver seat which is impressive to say without lonel Messi in the lineup but um I I think they're still a number of teams that can do it and for me the team that I think fell off a little bit but is set to climb a little bit back is FC Cincinnati that's the one team for me that I'm keeping an eye on but the fact that the crew are even in the conversation with what they've had to go through so many different uh competitions this season speaks to Wilfred nony and the way they've built that roster as well I agree with both of you guys Bradley we know the Porter Shield is the truth it's the true champion of the season and you see that every team that's in it right now has the utmost respect for the supporter Shield but I also agree with you Kaylin it's because of HomeField advantage and teams are seeing how important that is in the MLS Cup playoffs so this is the best supporter Shield race we've ever seen in MLS history hey and one more thing sorry Jill if in Miami if in Miami a Messi win it we're going to start getting some real supporter Shield love then people will start putting some respect on it I promise you speaking of inter Miami number one taking on number two FC Cincinnati this weekend in what could be an Eastern Conference Championship preview these two teams Jam tight with with quality in the attack points at 53 for inter Miami and 48 for FC Cincinnati but inter Miami could be without Leonel Messi who has not stepped on the field since the Copa America final when he left with an ankle injury we saw the September World Cup qualifier roster announced Messi not on there for Argentina so we don't know the extent of his injury Sasha how much of Miami running away with the supporter Shield race hinges on lonel Messi I'm not sure because they've defied all the expectations All Season every time we thought that Miami would take a dip when Messi was out injured or when Suarez went to the Copa America the young players have just continued to step up and that's that's been Diego Gomez that's been Redondo uh roas is not a young player but he's a massive piece of the attack listen if Diego Gomez does make a transfer to the English Premier League like he's been reported to that's going to be a massive loss for inter Miami but they've got players that'll Step Up krosi will probably step into that starting role if Gomez leaves they have depth they have the deepest roster in Major League Soccer and then when Messi does get back you got to believe that they're going to continue to push forward and that gives them a little bit of of patience and time to make sure that Messi is right when he does come back and that's a scary sight I think once you think of Knockouts that top end quality and that Difference Maker to come through in the clutch as we've seen time and time again uh from Messi even in his time with inter Miami and that's maybe the one piece that they were missing in leagues cup to really make the difference to go all the way but I I I think in this case they're going to be patient with him because they've been so good without him I believe 10 wins this season without Messi so uh you add him back into the mix towards that stretch run and that could get scary I think we got to start giving them Credit Now I know we always do but we got to give Tata and this inter Miami side credit we keep talking about if Messi's not there can they do this can they get here they've proven to us week in week out that they can win games and still be five points clear or four points clear in the supporter Shield race this is a proper team with like s said some very good young players and a Bonafide goal scorer in Louis Suarez inter Miami the only team averaging more than two points per game at 2.12 as for FC Cincinnati they are looking to repeat as supporter Shield winners the last team to do it was the LA Galaxy more than a decade ago Brad what's it going to take for Cincy I wasn't sure before I thought they were out of it but kayin you alluded to it it was a center back signing for me over wasi and I think that was huge I've only seen him make one blunder so far I know it's been a short short stay so far but he's been brilliant I saw a game where he's completely demanding controlling talking at the back and I think he's got a really big nine games left of the season and then gini up top he'll bring you some goals we saw that with St Louis so U I think cinc looking in good shape how much that's going to come down to the Stars though Kaylin I I think the stars in this case might be with uh Cincinnati and that's all due respect of course to Suarez and Jordi Alba who were not there in that last match between these two teams just about a month ago when by the way Cincinnati ran them off the pitch 6 to one at home and but Lucho aosta I mean he is the reigning MVP nobody has ever gone back to back to win MVP in MLS history and if they go on and win the supporter shield and I I think they need to win this match to really have a legit chance to do that Lucho could be making history right now this season his health has been a little bit of a question mark but they rested him a little bit in leagues cup and then the other Difference Maker on the other side right next to him as a twin 10 is the other Argentine in origano who has just been fantastic this season only getting stronger so the two of them paired in the middle going right against the heart of that inter Miami side can C cause problems for them and we saw Miami defensively a little bit uh weak with wgon on one side and Jordi Alba not so much a Defender uh more known for his attacking ability so I think there's some areas for Cincinnati to pick them apart but I think inter Miami is going to remember that 6-1 loss that that rivalry that's there you're not going to forget that I don't care who was missing uh buset got a red card he was playing Center back position but it was 5-1 in the 60th minute so I'd expect Tata and Inter Miami to come back and be prepared for this one looking to make a statement because that hurts that one stings does Miami win it on Saturday I I give them the edge in this one but I think the desperation from Cincinnati if they do want to win the supporter Shield this is a a six-point swing so they have to push up as well as push them down so um being out of leagues cup I think allows them a little bit more time to get Lucho healthy and be raring to go to try to to try to steal this one on the road here who you guys got on Saturday I I got Miami I got Miami but in order for FC Cincinnati to win anything this year I don't even think it's going to start falling on Lucho aosta it for me it's miles Robinson the defense has to be better they have to get back to the way that they were doing things last season which was being very hard to play against not giving up a lot of chances and winning one zero games they've given up too many goals if they can Shore things up defensively then they've got a chance I think I got I think I got into Miami too um I'll keep it short by yeah into Miami let's head out west with the conference leading LA Galaxy hosting at atanta United 50 goals on the season thanks to the prowess of what we're calling the three PS in poge PC and Pain still if Miami is is the best attack in MLS Sasha where do the Galaxy rank Galaxy have a top four attack for me uh you mentioned Miami I believe the Columbus Crew front three and lafc's front three uh those four teams have the best attack now no surprise those four teams are all in the hunt for the supporter shield and are all four of the best teams in Major League Soccer Galaxy did a really good job of going out in the offseason getting peek and Paint Hill to add to Ricky Pooch you have Deon yovich up front and now Marco Roy comes in who's not even a player I think the Galaxy need but he has so much quality to add to that final third that he will come in he'll be a depth piece and he will make a difference in that game but pek and paintsil are so dangerous right now they're both in the zone they're both feeling confident and their connection with Ricky Pooch has been on another level galaxy has one of the best attacks in the league for sure sash you're talking about Marco I love that Galaxy have brought in a Bonafide winner this is man that's one in Germany's one trophies so you add that to the global awareness he's going to bring now we for for the league we get eyes on our league just for that reason I think this is a good signing for that that reason also but 156 goals we might talk about Galaxy not really needing another attacker yich is injured so if you're bringing 156 goals a goal scoring ability in this stretch this run down to the supporter Shield you've got yourself a really good siding and someone with experience I got to make one point on the Galaxy sorry the biggest question for me going down the stretch for the LA Galaxy is who's going to start in Center Midfield along Mary Delgado for most of the season it's been Edwin Serio because Gaston bugman has been hurt and in the moments that bugman has played I think the galaxy has looked worse I think the Galaxy is better with Edwin Serio on the field so Greg vany is going to have a big decision to make as the season plays on does he keep his high priced midfielder rugman on the bench or does he throw him back in the lineup Galaxy's better with Sero in my opinion I'd have to agree with that SAS and I think a part of that is because sometimes it's that balance that hinge where when you lose the ball what's that reaction look like and who's there defensively with an eye on that that rest defense and that's where we've seen them let themselves down a little bit and as you add more Dynamic pieces with Roy and these interchangeable front four um or five depending on how they play it that can actually put more pressure defensively so that's where I start to look and say some question marks emerge for me with the Galaxy of what happens when they lose the ball for me let not pressing so high maybe playing a little bit more of a a you know a mid block or or not being so adventurous moving forward because when they get stretched that's where they get really hurt in transition one team that has been a question mark really all season with high expectations is Atlanta United Sasha they have nine games to go six of those are against playoff contenders do Atlanta United make the playoffs no I I think that's a plain and simple no for me they didn't do enough in the transfer market I love love love the signing of Alexi manchuk I think he's an unbelievable chance Creator but I don't know who he's going to create all these chances for you know they had big money to spend after the sale of Thiago alada and joros yakum makis and they need a number nine they absolutely do not have somebody who can put the ball in the back of the net at a regular clip so uh some patience is needed amongst the fans in Atlanta to realize that this season ain't it and and I do have some respect for them for not going out and just signing anybody and handcuffing themselves I do expect them to be very aggressive after this season going off of BigTime number nine to play alongside manchek next season there was some big news coming out of Atlanta United this week 37-year-old MLS veteran Dax mccardy announcing his retirement and of course he did it with all class and a little bit of fun my wife asked me the other day if I was getting love handles love handles yeah and that's when that's when I figured all right it's probably time after lots of thought and reflection it is with an immense amount of pride and gratitude that I'm announcing my retirement at the end of the 2024 season mccar 381 MLS appearances are third in Major League Soccer a longtime teammate of Sasha Kash and Bradley WR Phillips Brad what should people know about Dax that he's always had love handles I don't know why he's acting like that's what I'm saying he's Li I don't know why it's always acting like he's just arrived these love handles but honestly Dax I've told this story a few times I remember Coming to America and being very ignorant and arrogant to the American side of football and MLS play and I get to train in and I see Dax McCarthy and you got to remember there's tiar on re there Tim K here Peggy L bers and that is the one in the beginning that caught my eye because I just didn't think players here had the ability to lead a game set the Rhythm uh first touch passing and then vocal leader on the pitch he was unbelievable but really gen genuinely the first player American player I respected after play with them quality player sash Dax is great uh look so much respect for Dax mccardy and his career the longevity uh the trophies just an allaround uh great guy great teammate my biggest compliment to Dax is that he made me better as a player when we played alongside each other at the New York Red Bulls he always was looking to find me between the lines with those line splitting passes breaking up plays getting the ball to the attacking players with time and space such an underrated thing such a fantastic player and for a little guy so good in the Box on headers scored from so many set pieces love you Dax congratulations on a fantastic career and I'm very excited for him that he announced it now so he gets to enjoy these last nine 10 games get the love that he deserves love it yeah now Dax the longevity Sasha we're class of 2006 in the draft came in the same class as Dax and um Kai Kamar also on that list still playing so but the fact that I mean he's to me he's made every team he's been on better um immediately elevated the ceiling of the teams he's been on a consumate winner and great professional he's got the podcasting down already so I'm saying Dax when you coming in here man we got we got a seat for you man so uh no but congratulations enjoy these last uh this last stretch and and it's been a fantastic career my favorite thing about Dax mcari is the amount of teams that he has captained in Major League Soccer from Chicago to Nashville to the New York Red Bulls you know that is the type of player that is the locker room guy but then like Bradley says he's the guy on the pitch too so all the best to Dax uh we know we'll see round two but always class on and off the field and and we appreciate you let's talk about Real Salt Lake as we stay out west RSL kind of in that supporter Shield conversation especially now that they've got their Golden Boot leader chichu arango back he was suspended four games for violating the League's anti-harassment policy how realistic is a supporter Shield run for RSL Brad I'll be honest with you I think it depends on the form of the teams ahead of them yes they have the ability yes they have the players we've seen young players like Luna and Nelly and Midfield they're brilliant and now they get a Rango back this is a Bonafide and certified goal scorer but for them to really win the support shield now for me they're going to have to rely on other teams to drop points and as for San Jose they'll be going who they'll be going up against this weekend 14th in the Western Conference so there's really no big playoff supporter Shield conversation for the Quakes but Kaylin they did have a good leagues cup what will it take for the Quakes on Saturday to take down oursl well that League's cup I I think will give them some momentum and and a little bit of belief and that that result again against nxa uh was tremendous put five goals on the board Aran Lopez was tremendous has raised the ceiling of the players around him and at times you could see how this attack especially can be humming but then they ran into the buz saww that is lafc and you know I think they have a chance at least against this Salt Lake team coming off um that result and feeling some positivity but the bigger question for me is what is this club doing overall to develop young players and this match especially Diego Luna a former San Jose earthquake's Academy player now starring for Ral Salt Lake um it's just you know the the academy hasn't gotten enough done uh so far to be able to bring these players in baras as well was uh sold to Chivas also another former um Quakes Academy player that went to Real Salt Lake so I think are they going to manage as you mentioned being lower in the table and maybe bleed in some young players or are they going to fight for every result every Point possible with thean Russell so I think they have to strike that balance a little bit but longterm term um commit to the youth players RSL in San Jose 9:30 p.m. eastern time on MLS season pass the next two months are make or break for so many teams including Orlando city and Sporting Kansas City who face off this Saturday at inter and Co Stadium Sasha Orlando has been playing arguably their best soccer of the year five straight onbeat and four of those wins can we finally call the Lions the real deal I don't know about the real deal because the teams in the East uh are much stronger than them in my opinion but they have gone back to what had made them good last season and it's not really a magic formula for Oscar Pera it's just going back to a 4231 with two really good Center midfielders in caha and aruo who are doing a good job of shielding the backline and then putting their best attackers into positions to succeed fakun do Torres has been playing at the highest level OA has been playing at a high level Duncan Maguire just signed a new contract so he'll be at ease I think the team is good not great but they've had a much better run of form over the last couple of months compared to what we saw at the beginning of the Season maybe in the playoffs they can make some noise Sasha they they look like the 2023 Orlando they're a team now that don't shoot themselves in the foot and you mentioned the attack the attack now has to be respected Enrique um fundo all of these guys are looking sharp they're getting some really good production out of those Strikers the thing for me that's important for Orlando is that five of their loss I think nine games are at home so they're going to be a team that's again they're not going to win MLS Cup they're not winning supporter Shield obviously but they're a team in this form you don't want to see in the playoffs when you need a win you don't want to see Orlando yeah I give credit to Oscar perea for that and we've seen his teams do well in knockout format in tournament play onon the US Open cup in the past and then um at least has made it difficult in MLS Cup playoffs in the past so I think rounding into form yes they haven't played maybe the best competition but as you come down this home stretch they just got to be a player in this position and then you think of the top end Talent sometimes you have faku Torres you have Duncan Maguire that's not a lineup you want to face against so I I agree I think um this team while not in that Elite tier in the East can make some noise in the playoffs SKC Brad yet again on the outside looking in we saw what they did last year of making that run into the playoffs is this the team that deserves to have a run again no they haven't done enough this season um I think the older players while I'm big fans of players Johnny Russell shoi pedo the production isn't there they're hardly ever on the pitch I think the first time they're on the pitch together was recently in the in the League's cup they don't have enough the bright spot for me is a guarder up front is come on whenever he's got his chances he's scored goals but this team even if they get to the playoffs for me what's the point they're not going to do anything um not good enough this year SKC currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference you've got Orlando city in seventh place and then the New York Red Bulls in fourth Charlotte in sixth and that's our next matchup come this weekend and Charlotte FC can thank their backline for their spot in the table second best defense in the league just behind the Columbus Crew allowing just 27 goals on the season kayin now with Center back Tim ree coming over from Fulham how much better do this side get I think it's a level up for sure and tarine with his experience and and coming back to MLS I think it's going to be huge for them and and not just defensively because that's already solid but it's what he can do with the ball at his feet Distributing out of the back and they could potentially play with privet and Manda the three of them or maybe push privet up into a more advanced position and they needed to go out and continue to add into the attack they took a couple big swings trying to get um Miguel amiron didn't quite end up happening they did get uh pep beel um 27-year-old Spanish uh player coming abroad uh coming back or coming to MLS now to add to the attack so that's a nice piece but it also doesn't hamstring them I believe he's just on loan um to the end of the season so that's important to be able to now add something moving forward but I think if you have the foundation which they already have you add these pieces is only going to level their ceiling up a bit the New York Red Bulls have been hot and cold all year despite the fact that they're fourth place in the Eastern Conference Sasha how do the Red Bulls get hot again their last back toback winds came June 1st well getting hot again is just uh relying on what has got them here which is the system of play Energy Efficiency and defending well listen I was excited for this New York Red Bulls team to add some pieces to the attack to push this team over the edge to at least be a contender in the east in the playoffs and they went out and got a DP number six is that the solution no I don't think so this is a playoff team and nothing more they're good not great I think I think in terms of the Red Bulls getting hot again listen we all know their philosophy is going to cause every team problems they're always going to be in a game they're always going to compete but in terms of getting hot again it's the return of Emil fallsberg and then now Lewis Morgan that is here not um at the European championships is here now this is a player that's got 12 goals and I want to say 18 starts so they have a goal scorer they just need that creative part in the um in the attacking Ferd in the forsburg but that would lead to them being hot again up north Montreal taking on New England where every single point counts for these teams that are going to have to scratch and Claw their way into the postseason it's unlikely that we see both of these clubs in the playoffs come October Kaylin who do you have between New England and Montreal well that's why I like this matchup is there's that little bit of desperation going on and you know I think both teams have really tried to remake themselves on the Fly this season um so many changes from both managers and I think that's the challenge for me I I think from Montreal's perspective um they brought in jaquille Marshall Ry Tom Pierce I think those will add strength to the wing positions but then matu schaner is reportedly going to be moving to Switzerland so I just can't quite ever put a finger on who this team is what their identity is how they're going to change uh midseason so I have more questions for them where at least for me I can see New England moving in a in a more coherent Direction well we when we look at New England kin we've seen a team that you know showed some fight in in leagues cup now what I want to see from them is them use that momentum and bring that into MLS regular season they'll have Carlos Hill to come back a new side in in langoni who looks very bright and and and decent in the attack in third the tough thing for them if we're even talking as far as playoffs they've got two home games in the next five New England strength is when they play at home because it's a tough place to play at um so for them to have any chance I think they're going to need to get eight seven to eight points out of the next five games and that that's a tough ask but bring that momentum from Lee cup and they they should be a better team to watch at least Sasha who more who's more poised to be in the postseason I think New England I think they still have more quality on the roster uh I like the additions of Tim Parker in the back excited to see langoni the Winger that's come from Argentina and Carlos Hill has been unhealthy for most of this season and when he's at his best he's one of the best number 10 in the league so a team built around Carlos hill I'll take that every time New York City FC stock continues to go up we were talking about at the beginning of the year is Nick Cushing on the hot seat to start the year now they have an impressive run in leagues cup they fall in the quarterfinals to the Columbus Crew Sasha how much did New York City stock go up the stock has gone up Jill but it's reached a plateau and the reason for that is they don't have a striker that they can depend on munf bakar has played Yovan matovic has played Alonzo Martinez has played none of them have taken the Reigns and said I'm the number nine I'm the guy that's going to get you goals so as good as New York City's run in League's cup was they're just like the other team in New York good not great and a playoff team that's it yeah for me it comes down to consistency sometimes we see New York City FC and we're like wow this is one of the best teams in the league because they play a lovely side of football they build out from the back they have exciting players on the ball but to Sasha's point when they get to that 18 Yard Box can that Striker be consistent I look at Martinez he's the one that showed some kind of consistency in little patches if he can do that for the remainder of the Season then they're a team that is always going to cause problems because they're hard to deal with hard to keep contained with some talented players in the final third Kaitlin you'll be on the call for New York City and Chicago what are you keeping your eyes on in this one well I think New York City have the clear Edge and Chicago um you know it's really been an interesting window for them shakiri had all the goodbye videos um going through social media but was one of the biggest failures for me the worst signing in Chicago fire history and you know did not live up to the standard of the number 10 that have come through there before kelok Blanco designated players Peter Novak um so I I you know for me me to get rid of your DP midseason and say goodbye and then say that's a positive tells you everything you need to know about where the Chicago Fire have been George Heights now will be leaving after the season their sporting director as well so it's kind of like a reboot in a way they have some young Talent that's a positive um but I give New York City I think the edge in this one coming off a good leagues cup run and and much more on the ascendency New York City in the Chicago Fire face off 7:30 p.m. eastern time on MLS season pass it's that time of the show bye or selling we've talked about the top teams in the Western Conference in the LA Galaxy lafc and Real Salt Lake well let's talk a little bit about those teams that are right on the bubble Minnesota United and the Seattle Sounders just one point separating these two sides and they face off this weekend at Alan's field so to talk about that we've got kayin Carr and Matt Doyle so kayin get ready to open up that fat wallet of yours when Matt Doyle gives you the numbers Doyle go for it yeah we'll start with Minnesota our number is 14.2% that is a percentage of Minnesota's total passes that are long balls this season which is fifth highest Mark in the league and frankly I don't think Eric Ramsey wants to play that way and I suspect that the as the loons work their new acquisitions into the lineup we'll start to see them actually play a little bit more small ball build from the back a little bit uh and look a bit more modern it'll be a work in progress and I expect there to be some Growing Pains worth it in the long run though I think I'll buy that I I think the growing pains part especially and that's kind of what happened to Minnesota who got off to such a Bright Start to the season and then kind of Tanked and a big part of that was losing some important pieces uh Al being gone to the national team Dane stclair and then the long balls for me really comes down to no Roso who they haven't replaced so you don't have Roso and you have these other pieces like kangan or even te Muki when they like balls in space so that's kind of just the way I think Ramsey's being forced to play but once they make that um signing to give them that maybe number 10 going forward but so far that hasn't happened I was a little little disappointed they didn't end up coming out of that transfer window with a number six a guy who could run the show from Central Midfield that's the guy who would really cut down on the number of long balls for them didn't get went hard after one in the transfer window didn't get one uh hopefully that's something that happens for them in the winter but yeah the other team that taken AP part in this game Seattle Sounders our number is. 29 that's Seattle's expected assist total for the entire year uh on passes following a successful one V1 in the attacking third that's 28th in the league and it's exactly what they went out and spent $6 Million last winter to get Pedro DEA for he's the guy who can beat a Defender off the one via 1 V one uh take all that possession that they generate in central Midfield and turn it into high value chances in the attacking third uh if they're going to have any shot at winning a trophy this season getting their eighth place right now if they're going to have any shot at winning a trophy this season they need to get this guy healthy get on the field and start beating guys off the dribble turn that dominance into actual chances and actual goals I'm selling this one only because you're selling his health well I no I just didn't understand where it I mean he's smart to for we've seen so far from ba that is definitely true but more just because it's passes off of a one W so it's after you beat somebody yeah but you got to beat somebody first and and that really hasn't been happening I think De la Vega has been a big part of that but I think they need to adjust a little bit to not uh be so open and we talked about Minnesota's long balls long balls are what killed them against lafc so changing the the maybe the tactics a bit to be a little bit deeper to not be so open and not allow these balls in behind defensive is really where I see more of the problem than that final attacking third because we've seen Jordan Morris get hot we've seen a little bit more productivity in the attack defensively is really where I have the most concerns with SE honestly I think they should switch their formation to a 352 at least for the game next week against lafc when they're playing uh for the right to go to the US Open Cup Final because first of all none of their Wingers are beating anybody off the dribble so that defeats the purpose of having Wingers second of all to your point they're getting beat over the top a lot add another Center back back there maybe handle front three a little bit better we could see it this weekend even against Minnesota United OD you think think schmezer would do that I mean he did it for an entire season back in 2021 I I I don't think it's off the table it has been a little late coming though because they just got thumped in the League's cup Portland Timbers taking on St Louis city yeah our number for Portland that's 8.94 that's how many more passes per game Evander is completing in 2024 than what he did in 2023 that puts him in the 90th percentile overall among all attacking midfielders and he's not just getting more touches just because he's connecting high value passes as his passes into the final third into the box and expected assists are all way up over what he was doing in 2023 the biggest jump though is through balls per 90 he's hitting about three times as many in 20124 under Phil Neville uh when he drops deep and gets on the the ball those Wingers Center forward Filipe Mora they all know to burst into space he has been wonderful this year we are not sure he's going to play this weekend because he came off hurt in the leagues cup yeah I'm I'm buying this one and I remember earlier in the year uh Phil Neville was saying hey this is an MVP and I was on the show with everybody and saying I'm not quite so sure if I'm buying that one from Phil Neville but I believe it was best number 10 in the league was that what it was yeah I conference lonel Messi is still in the league so no it's an incorrect assertion but he's been really good but I see why he would say that because that's how important he is to this team and and we saw them really tank in the leagues cup without him when he went out injured early on to St Louis so they have to get him back into this team he makes all these players around them uh tick three players on the side with three with 10 plus goals but that doesn't happen without Evander pulling the strings yeah and we just heard you guys talking in the last uh uh segment about like who has the best attack in the league nobody mentioned Portland they're under the radar but if you look at their goals per game as long as a Vander is out there they're as good as anybody outside of Miami it's a really good team St Louis yeah St Louis not yet a really good team but our number is 14 that's the number of passes Edward louen playing deeper as a number eight completed to new signing Marcel harle uh in what ultimately became a promising loss to clb America in the leagues cup they lost 42 St Louis did 11 of those 14 passes were Progressive uh most of them up the left side and into the final third where harle is at his best as a chance Creator and only one of the 14 was a long ball that's significant because St Louis under previous manager Bradley Carell hit the second most long balls in the league so I think we're starting to see a new game model take shape with this team and I think it's largely going to be built around the ability of these two guys to get on the ball and actually keep it on the ground for a little bit in instead of cranking everything up to 1,000 miles an hour I I love this one I I'm buying this one Jill opening up the wallet whatever I got left uh is going on this one and St Louis honestly I think the stock is high for this team I did two of their matches in leagues cup and yes they brought in toy shirt yes they brought in harzel beter has been a nice under the Raider signing but the best player the most important player on this team is Len and we saw it in leagues cup he gave Club America everything they could handle they had the lead in the second half for a team that has only won three matches in the regular season before the firing of their manager now they've really turned things around with these new additions and then hackworth has to get credit for dropping him a bit deeper if you think of the way Vander drops and facilitates the attack that's exactly what we see from Len as well so I I really like what's happening in St Louis they've built a nice little foundation in a short time with new players in leagues cup we saw last year I felt they didn't take leagues cup seriously and really tanked I think they can use Leakes cup as a turning point to try and climb their way up in the league two clubs on the outside looking in Nashville SC and Austin yeah our number for Nashville is 47 that's a number of direct attacks counters fast breaks things of that sort uh Nashville have generated this year which is just 26th in the league uh they were tied for 16th in 2023 and they were 13th in 2022 and that inability to get out into transition has put more pressure on them to build chances via possession and Oho boy has that not been good for this team they are stuck in the mud and honestly I don't really see a way for them to get unstuck given the Personnel on hand so I got to ask you about because I'm I'm unsure on this one because BJ Callahan so new to this team new manager coming in and trying to imprint himself but when you say they're stuck in the mud they still have honey MTAR they have schafberg they have some pieces at least that can get out in transition so why are you seeing them not being able to uh find success with that because I don't think they have any real ball progressors through Midfield annabal gdy has hit probably his expiration day our good friend Dax mccardy he was so key to everything they did the first four or five years that they were in the league and including in that massive leagues cup run last year but that was dax's last harra and they haven't been able to replace him and if you look at this roster it's filled with veterans on big numbers so guys who are not really tradable and don't really have that sort of skill set that we saw Dax and Prime annabal gadoo and they went out and they got a u22 signing uh in the window and Patrick yasbeck he's a young 20ish yearold Australian kid he has struggled l in his first couple of appearances for Nashville so I look at this roster and I don't think that there's anyone on it right now who could do the sort of things in terms of tilting the field that we saw from the best versions of Nashville over the past four or five years are you ready to buy this yet K I like I make a s yeah this is a good you got to earn your sale here so yeah I'll buy this one from doy in this case so it's on the front office yeah it's on the front office absolutely you want to give time to Callahan I think I think we got absolutely yeah like they're going to be an interesting team to watch but then it's going to be on Mike Jacobs the the general manager Chief soccer officer this winter to give BJ Callahan some new tools for 2025 what about Austin Austin uh plus 8.74 that's their goals uh goal differential above expected which is to say that they're about nine goals better than they should be this year and this is a team that is still outside the playoffs in 10th place with a minus 9 actual goal differential that number if they had an average goalkeeper would be minus 18 Brad stver man uh there's nothing fancy about him he is a throwback keeper who's just excellent at his number one job which is to keep the ball out of the damn net I am buying Brad stver no doubt about it how can you not but I I'm selling this stat on overperforming their XG because I I've been watching Austin and I'm seeing some promising signs that they're trending in the right direction and you don't have to look further than leags cup they went and beat Pumas they beat montere those are two giants in Liga achis and even in League Play they beat those teams because they put everybody behind the ball and they said Brad Stu please save us well let I don't care how you beat any of these monsters from Liga AIS do it again and continue to see what you can get from that I I see some young pieces um I think wolf has been good Pera has been good coming in BR uh ring Alex ring it looks like he's found a second New Life there and so you've added some new pieces with barari swok and tesler as well they going to make the playoffs I don't know if they're going to make the playoffs I'd probably put them I'm just gonna sell I'm buying them in the playoffs let's go Austin I like the way they're going I like the way that they're trending you beat monter you beat Pumas you're getting a buy for me I'm going to go left here I would never want to rob you of this who's winning MLS Cup because we're talking about it in the next segment you know what I just as I was getting bold with my takes yeah I'm going Miami sorry with lonel Messi they're already going to potentially in the driver's seat I think for the supporter Shield I think they could end up with both trophies hot take of the Season kayin cars got inter Miami winning the supporter shield and MLS Cup as promised let's have a little bit of fun Before We Say Goodbye so we got to bring back in these guys Sasha and Brad and there's almost time to say goodbye to Sweet Summer which means school is back Doyle and on that note we're going to do some superlatives you know okay wow Jill you're not going to read my sign first I got the first answer I'm not reading that that is good afternoon to you Sasha too that is so inappropriate for the start of our segment Sasha you get an F so if you see where we're going we're doing a little bit of a school theme we're handing out superlatives who has won and lost what up until this point in the MLS season with the secondary transfer window now closed guys who is The Biggest Loser who lost the summer transfer window and no the answer is not bwp it's always bwp Sasha it's got Vancouver Bradley W Phillips with the Chicago Fire Doyle with the New York Red Bulls explain yourself yeah I'm sorry guys this is going to be a bit of a trigger warning for you but I look at this Red Bulls team they play great defense they have a plus 11 goal differential they've only lost four times all year long they have 11 draws and we saw it happen in the leagues cup they are a piece away in attack it's just like when you guys were running the show for them so many years year after year after year you guys were one piece away from being MLS Cup Challengers maybe even MLS Cup winners they have an open DP slot they could have used another u22 slot if they wanted to and added a big name forward or a high upside young forward or any kind of forward at all besides Dante vanir who they've had for two years years now and who has shown that he is manifestly not it and so now we go into another stretch run with the Red Bulls could have would have should have they're going to get to the playoffs they're going to get eliminated because they don't have enough Firepower the fans are sick of it I would hate for you to be right I can't agree more uh and I'm going in a similar vein with the Vancouver White Caps they're in fifth in the west they went out in the transfer market and did nothing so they're just happy to be a playoff team they're not going to win anything this season they have open spots to add another player into the tack there may be one or two pieces away from actually challenging for the west and they did nothing in the transfer market that's why they're losers for me and for me Chicago Fire I know they're not you know in any sort of playoff race title race but just as a football fan if I'm a fan of Chicago Fire I want to see ambition I've seen none here you get rid of shakiri which I think was a great move now he's off the wage Bild now you have some space on the roster and you bring no one in I don't know if I'm fan why am I going I'm not seeing any ambition from Chicago fan I think they didn't take advantage of this transfer window all right so let's do biggest transfer window winner who won the transfer window who's looking real good now on the stretch run of the Season get to those whiteboards guys and uh give me a second yeah go for it I got to check Brad's spelling I gotta check Brad's spelling every time all right Sasha question with Charlotte Matt Doyle with Bradley right losers the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati explain yourself do go for all the reasons Brad said they got rid of shakiri and then they didn't do anything else they also got rid of George Heights the GM for the past four years who has dug the fire into one of the deepest holes in the league signing after signing after signing he has shown ambition he has not shown any foresight or ability to fit the pieces together and he's gone in the winter finally that is the news Chicago fire fans had been waiting to get so shakiri is gone as well and the best news of all is he didn't make one last signing to saddle them with a terrible DP contract for the next three or four years so whoever takes over in the winter and by the way put all your money on that being Greg burh halter whoever takes it over in the winter is going to get to reconstruct the fire roster with a couple of good players like Hugo Kyper up top Brian Gutierrez Chris Brady Kellen aosta but they're not going to be saddled with a Cadre of underperforming DPS this was the best summer the Chicago Fire have had in almost a decade the fans are ecstatic they finally see a light at the end of the tunnel coming in 2025 woo that is sp we'll see how that looks in the next game for them we'll see how that looks in the next game for them but I like what you did I've got Cincinnati just because looking at ciny throughout the season when they got to that middle part of the season their defensive injuries to Matt mgar I think getting Chidi um aium was a very big signing I now have hope for them again to be in this supporter Shield race also gini scored a lot of goals for St Louis he's a player they need in the attack in third I don't think they've been strong enough or dangerous enough in that nin spot and I think they've had a really underrated transfer window all right I gotta go with Charlotte on this one I think Charlotte really leveled themselves up from a playoff team to now a playoff contender in the east by adding Tim re at the back we'll see if he comes in and he's a starter right away or if he has to work himself into the lineup they got rid of bre Diaga and replaced him with DP number 10 from Spain pep be I think they searched and found the pieces that they wanted maybe not exact pieces that they wanted they were in for Miguel aliron that would have been massive they end up getting something that that lasts them until the end of the season and I think makes them a little bit better towards the playoffs Tim re coming from Fulham so on that note what was the best under the radar signing by an MLS team in the secondary transfer window get to work please we saw some movers and shakers we saw some big names come through like Marco Roy but I know I know that's not going to qualify for under the radar so Brad who you got I've got the Columbus Crew do you have it's a player Brad you have a player for the CL oh sorry my bad sorry the Jones for Columbus Crew my bad misre that at the bottom there no I think Columbus Crew as aside when you look at them they don't need they don't need much they don't need strengthen in many areas but to have danan Jones comeing to the side the impact he's already had scoring a goal on his debut getting a winning penalty in the leagues cup now you look at their four Wing backs in Aon fary now dwan Jones Yao ya boa that is very strong just added in the attack I think it's a brilliant under the radar signing perfect D Jones coming from New England yeah go ahead sash I can't argue with him much I like the dwan Jones signing a lot in Columbus as well but I think it's Nico gini going to FC Cincinnati he's a proven young goal scorer in MLS who can step in and be that physical presence up front for Cincinnati that they haven't had since Brandon Vasquez left so he should come in and I think he'll start right away as the number nine the most important thing though is they went out for some big targets they didn't get them and at the last minute they were able to get joei who's just on loan until the end of the season and I think they'll revisit in January ready to spend some big money good shots by these guys I picked Lawrence and Ali for the Houston Dynamo who they got on a u22 deal uh the Dynamo we've been saying for the past year if they get a goal scor up top and then they get a dynamic left Winger a guy who could beat guys off the dribble and turn some of that possession that they have into penetration and goals uh they could be as good as anybody and we've seen from anali so far who nobody knew of right this is a guy that they got from a smallest team in the Polish League um they went down the list and found this guy and he has been superb through just a couple of games I can't wait for the stretch run to see this team get on the field this weekend speaking of the stretch run who is going to make the stretch run and make the postseason what team in MLS not player Brad what team is going to flip their fortunes what MLS Club could flip will flip their fortunes what you got Doyle I have St Louis city and I don't I'm not sure that they can climb above the playoff line I don't think they're going to go from second to last to ninth like they would there's just they're 10 points back it's a lot to do in nine games but based upon what we saw of them these new guys that they brought in during the summer window they're a much better team they took Portland to heart I thought they played really well against clubbe America eventually losing 4-2 five new starters potentially two center backs and Horn and cars Henry Kesler from the revs uh then it's harle and toyer the German attackers and then Simon beter up top and look Simon beter does not have a big profile but he has been better in about four games for St Louis than klouse has been all season long and all this is happening within the context of John hackworth changing the game model for this team and we've seen it in the numbers a little bit too they're more comfortable with the ball they have guys who play together it's not all long ball second ball go so I like what St Louis has done a lot I think they're much better uh situated to go into 2025 and be a really competitive team because what they've been the first twoth thirds of 2024 was not very good but they'll need 10 points to do it sash who you got from one leagues Cup team that made us believe to another one it's flip Flip Flip flipadelphia Philly has made us believe listen they're back to the old Philly Andre Blake is playing at a a massive level again that we're used to seeing from anj Blake keeping teams and games they've gone on this amazing run in leagues Cup made it to the semifinals so we're going to see Philly in the last third of the Season push themselves from outside the playoffs right now into the playoffs Brad who you got now that you went and changed up your pick I change it I doo I like your one I'm I'm a Believer in St Louis too Sasha I'm unhappy with your one just because we saw we saw Philly already make this Resurgence theyve unbeaten five games before leagues cup we saw this that's already happened in leagues cup yes they had some momentum they look good but that was inevitable from seeing how they left the MLS regular season I'm going to go and it's a quick one because I just have to think of a team I like and enjoy and want to do well is FC Dallas I think Dallas with um pet Musa up top um Ferrera coming back from injury they have a great defender in tfar I think they're only three points off of the playoffs that's a team for me with this rest out of the least cup that can do well and make a um a decent run at playoffs all right Sasha really going out on a limb there with the Philadelphia Union one point easy easy all right real quick about that who is our MLS Cup winner Doyle says Messi yeah I picked I picked Miami at the start of the year they've done a all year long um even with Messi injured and now he's going to be healthy down the stretch into the playoffs Messi's going to win MLS Cup lafc for Sasha Clon lafc I I see a rematch of MLS Cup and lafc getting their Revenge I think the adding the addition of of Olivier giru is massive Denny banga is only getting better and stronger as the season goes on I think I I think in the playoffs nobody will be able to stop their attack you guys know I like to sit on the fence and just got a real comfortable chair on that fence so nice little cushion now honestly I'm going to say the crew I just think the crew for me when I watch them play on their best day they're better than anyone and if they'll get to the final they'll be playing at home I think they they beat anyone but a real tough game for in Miami tomorrow I mean come the weekend and then we'll see that's when I'll make my choice because they play internati whatever happens there then we're looking at a different BR you coward he's going you have to make come on I need to see how in Miami look I need to see how they look you didn't even write it down now you're telling us that you're going to make a real pick over the weekend it's dead trust me it's de this like the fence all right well that does it for this is NLS we will see you next week and Brad you better be bringing that answer and your whiteboard